Nested zipper puller

ABSTRACT

A self-nesting zipper puller includes a body defining a periphery, a lanyard by which to suspend the zipper puller from a zipper for use; and a loop secured to the lanyard and engaged about the periphery of the body during use of the zipper puller to secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure captured by the zipper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/586,931, filed Jan. 16, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to zippers, and moreparticularly to attachments that are provided for the handles and/orsliders of zippers to provide a larger, more easily grasped article bywhich to pull a zipper for zipping or unzipping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard zippers used on clothing, personal articles such as backpacks,shoulder bags, luggage and other things have relatively small handles ortabs by which the zipper is operated for closing (zipping) or opening(unzipping). Even on a large zipper, such as those found on suitcasesand large containers, the handle or tab can be relatively small anddifficult to grasp securely. Frequently made of metal, the handle isoften smooth and can be somewhat slippery. Zippers are often concealed,with fabric overlapping the zipper along each side of the zipper track.In such arrangements, the handle can be difficult to locate and dislodgefrom beneath the fabric edges. In heavily packed articles, tension onthe zipper can make it difficult to operate, and the small surface ofthe handle can be inadequate to grip securely for operating the zipper.Zipper handles can become detached or broken, making operation of thezipper even more difficult.

It is known to provide zipper pullers of various types attached to thezipper handle and/or directly to the slider to provide a larger, moreeasily grasped article by which to operate the zipper. The zipper handlecommonly has a hole near the end thereof, and known configurations ofzipper pullers are attached by looping, tying or otherwise securing thepuller through the hole in the handle or through the hole in the zipperslider which normally receivers the zipper handle.

In a simple form, a zipper puller may be an elongated piece of nylon orother fabric tied or looped through the hole in the zipper handle and/orslider. While fabric secured in this manner provides a longer structurethan the zipper handle alone by which to grasp and operate the zipper,the smooth, thin fabric can sometimes be difficult to grasp as well.More advantageously, a zipper puller has an enlarged or bulbous end orportion more easily grasped than the relatively thin zipper handle.Known zipper pullers of this type have been two piece articles,including a string, cord or the like serving as a tether between thezipper handle or slider and a larger body end piece attached to thetether. While two-piece zipper pullers of this type have performedsomewhat adequately for the purpose intended, the two-piece zipperpuller can be costly to manufacture and install. Further, the string,cord or other tether portion can stretch or otherwise change, or evenbreak, making the zipper puller nonfunctional, even if not lostcompletely. More elastic tethers have been used but tend to act morelike a rubber band, being too springy to transmit the load effectivelyfrom the user to the zipper slider.

Known methods to attach known zipper pullers include the use of aknotted half-hitch and one-piece nylon designs in which a strap-likeportion includes a ball at the end thereof, which fits into a matingrecess on the body of the zipper puller. Alternatively, the zipperpuller can be a two-piece assembly that routes the loop through thezipper handle and then is assembled to a wedge-like locking device.

It is known that a body of thermoplastic elastomer can be processed toalign the crystalline structure thereof to a permanently deformedthinner shape having increased flexibility while maintaining thestrength of a thicker, more robust and less flexible body. The processhas been referred to as “orienting” and can be found described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,441,758 and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0267258.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A self-nesting zipper puller is provided with a body defining aperiphery, a lanyard by which the zipper puller is suspended from azipper for use; and a loop secured to the lanyard and engaged about theperiphery of the body during use of the zipper puller to secure thezipper puller to the zipper.

In one aspect of one form thereof, a self-nesting zipper puller isprovided with a body defining a periphery; a lanyard by which to suspendthe zipper puller from a zipper during use; and a loop secured to thelanyard and engaged about the periphery of the body during use of thezipper puller to secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structurecaptured by the zipper.

In another aspect of another form thereof, a self-nesting zipper pulleris provided with a body defining a periphery; and a tether portion bywhich to suspend the zipper puller from a zipper during use. The tetherportion includes a loop and a lanyard, the loop being secured to thelanyard and engaged about the periphery of the body during use of thezipper puller to secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structurecaptured by the zipper. The tether portion has physical propertiesaltered from the as molded conditions thereof due to an orientingprocess including permanent deformation from the as molded condition.

In still another aspect of still another form thereof, a self-nestingzipper puller is provided with a body having a periphery defining agroove; a tether portion engaging a zipper during use and including aloop and a lanyard. The loop is secured to the lanyard and held in thegroove during use of the zipper puller to secure the lanyard and body asan enclosed structure captured by the zipper. The tether portion hasphysical properties altered from the as molded conditions thereof due toan orienting process including permanent deformation from the as moldedstructure of the tether portion.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon review of the following detaileddescription, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used todesignate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nested zipper puller installed on azipper slider;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the zipper puller before installation;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the zipper puller in a semi-closedcondition for attachment, but without the zipper slider being shown;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the zipper puller in a closed conditionfor attachment, but without the zipper slider being shown

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the zipper puller as shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the zipper puller and zipperslider as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another zipper puller;

FIG. 8 is a view of the zipper puller of Fig, 7 installed on a zipperslider;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view more completely showing the side ofthe zipper puller of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the zipper puller of FIGS. 7-9 during anearly stage of installation on a zipper slider;

FIG. 11 is an illustration similar to FIG. 10, but showing a subsequentstage of the installation;

FIG. 12 is an illustration similar to FIGS. 10 & 11, but showing an evenlater stage of the installation;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the completed installation;

FIG. 14 is a view of the zipper puller of FIGS. 7-13 installed on thezipper of an article;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of another zipper puller;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the zipper puller in FIG. 15, but showingthe zipper puller installed on the zipper of an article;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the zipper puller of FIGS. 15 & 16 in apreassemble pre-installation condition;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the zipper puller of FIG. 17 in asemi-closed condition for attachment, but without the zipper sliderbeing shown

FIG. 19 is a view of still another zipper puller;

FIG. 20 is a view of yet another zipper puller;

FIG. 21 is a view of a further zipper puller;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a further modified form of the zipperpuller shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 23 is an illustration of the zipper puller shown in FIG. 22, butshowing the zipper puller installed on the zipper of an article;

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of a still further modified form of thezipper puller shown in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 25 is an illustration of the zipper puller shown in FIG. 24, butshowing the zipper puller installed on the zipper of an article.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompassthe items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 show a firstembodiment of a nested zipper puller 110 having a main body portion 112and a tether portion 114. Tether portion 114 includes a lanyard 116connected to main body portion 112 and a loop 118 at the distal end oflanyard 116. Main body portion 112 is of annular shape and of a size foreasy grasping between a user's fingers, with or without a fingerinserted into a center opening 120 in main body portion 112.

FIGS. 7-14 show a second embodiment of a nested zipper puller 210 havinga main body portion 212 and a tether portion 214. Tether portion 214includes a lanyard 216 connected to main body portion 212 and a loop 218at the distal end of lanyard 216. Main body portion 212 is of elongatedoval shape, with flattened opposed surfaces 220 and 222, which may beprovided with textured surface treatments or projections 224 to improvegrasping by a user. Further, a thickness of body portion 212 betweensurfaces 220 and 222 can increase toward the end of body portion 212away from tether portion 214 for still further improved grasping by auser.

Zipper pullers 110 and 210 have integral loops 118, 218 received aboutbody portions 112, 212 to provide robust, one-piece designs that haveimproved aesthetics, easy assembly and improved drape over the currentstandard configurations. Body portions 112 and 212 can define peripheralgrooves for receiving loops 118, 218 respectively when the loops arestretched around the body portions 112, 212. Body portion 212 is shownwith such a peripheral groove 226. While not shown with such aperipheral groove, it should be understood that body portion 112 alsocan be provided with a peripheral groove.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, zipper puller 110 can be attached to a slider130 of a conventional zipper by inserting loop 118 entirely through anopening 132 in the slider until zipper puller 110 is positioned withmain body portion 112 on one side of slider 130 and loop 118 on theother side of slider 130, with lanyard 116 extending through opening 132in slider 130. Loop 118 is then stretched around the periphery of mainbody portion 112 (as shown in FIG. 3 without slider 130).

In a similar way, zipper puller 210 can be attached to slider 130 of aconventional zipper by inserting loop 218 entirely through the opening132 in the slider until zipper puller 210 is positioned with main bodyportion 212 on one side of slider 130 and loop 218 on the other side ofslider 130, with lanyard 216 extending through the slider. FIG. 10illustrates loop 218 being passed through opening 132 of slider 130, andFIG. 11 illustrates a condition after loop 218 has been passedcompletely through opening 132. Loop 218 is then stretched around theperiphery of main body portion 212 to be received in groove 226 definedin the peripheral edge of main body portion 212. FIGS. 10-13 show zipperpuller 210 in various stages of installation, and FIG. 14 illustrateszipper puller 210 completely installed on slider 130 of a zipper 134 inan article 140, such as clothing, a bag or the like.

Zipper pullers 110, 210 may be manufactured from essentially elastomericmaterial capable of being oriented to provide the desiredcharacteristics. For example, zipper pullers 110, 210 may be athermoplastic elastomer, polyester, nylon-based TPE or a thermoplasticurethane. A variety of alternative elastomers may be suitable for use.The thickness and shape of a zipper puller 110, 210 can vary fromapplication to application, depending on conditions in which it will beused and desired performance characteristics, such as, for example, theanticipated tensile load to be applied and the desired stiffness orflexibility of tether portions 114, 214. Accordingly, the as molded sizeand shape of the tether portions can differ to achieve the desiredresult after processing for orienting.

After zipper pullers 110, 210 are formed by molding, tether portions114, 214 are oriented to achieve the desired physical characteristics.In the orienting process, for example, tether portions 114, 214 may beintentionally and permanently deformed such as by alignment of thecrystalline structure in the direction along which the principle tensileloads will be applied during use (i.e. to elongate loops 118, 218 and/orlanyards 116, 216). By orienting in this way prior to actual use,undesired deformation, referred to as “creep”, that might otherwiseoccur during use can be limited and potentially avoided. In anticipationof orienting, zipper pullers 110, 210 are intentionally designed for anas “molded size” that is shorter but thicker than the required “in use”size by the amount of permanent deformation that will be brought onduring the orienting process. The precise method and manner of orientingmay vary from application to application and may differ depending inpart on the intended use and final characteristic of a zipper puller110, 210. A single act of stretching, repeated acts of stretching underthe same or different conditions and/or compression by hammering orpressing are all examples of some suitable orienting processes. Acts ofbending around a curved surface, such as a mandrel; or twisting whilestretching can be used to develop permanently curved or rotated shapes.

While a one shot process for molding has been disclosed, it isanticipated that a two shot process also can be used to mold the tetherportions and main body portions in different colors, for example, but asa single monolithic structure. Customized loop colors similar tocustomized nylon cord pullers can be provided. Still other features canbe included. For example, the body portion can be provided with a holefor decorative or functional inserts, labeling, indicia, or the like, oras a finger hole for pulling on the zipper puller.

Zipper pullers in accordance herewith can be provided also in two-piececonstructions for improved physical characteristics, variations in useand/or aesthetic purposes. FIG. 15 illustrates a zipper puller 310including a main body portion 312 and a separate tether portion 314.Tether portion 314 includes a lanyard 316 and first and second loops318, 320 at opposite ends of lanyard 316. Main body portion 312 isconfigured with a groove 326 about the periphery thereof to receive bothfirst and second loops 318, 320. As illustrated in FIG. 16, zipperpuller 310 is attached to a zipper handle 150 held within hole 132 ofslider 130, zipper handle 150 defining a hole 152 therethrough. One ofthe loops 318, 320 is passed through hole 152 so that lanyard 316 ispositioned extending through hole 152, with loops 318, 320 on oppositesides thereof. Each of the loops 318, 320 is stretched about theperiphery of main body portion 312 to be received in the peripheralgroove 326 defined therein. As shown in FIG. 17, one of the loops 318,320 can be stretched around main body portion 312 to establish apre-installation assembly with the main body portion 312 and tetherportion 314 connected together.

With separate pieces for main body portion 312 and tether portion 314,it may be easier to subject only tether portion 314 to an orientingprocess as described previously herein. By using separate pieces, uniquecolor combinations can be provided. Further, a clear, white or otherbasic color can be used for one of the portions and vibrant, unique orother aesthetically pleasing colors or configurations can be used forthe other component. Components can be mixed and matched so long as theperiphery of main body portion 312 corresponds with the size of loops318, 320 for proper engagement and securement.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, a two-piece zipper puller can be shipped in apreassembled form, with one of the loops 318, 320 installed in positionabout the periphery of main body portion 312. FIG. 18 illustrates themanner in which the final attachment of the other of loops 318, 320 canbe performed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19-21 a variety of shape combinations can beused with the two components of a two-piece zipper puller as well aswith a one-piece zipper puller. A one piece zipper puller 410 includes atriangular shaped body portion 412 and a tether portion 414 including alanyard 416 and a loop 418. Another one piece zipper puller 510 includesan annular body portion 512 and a tether portion 514 including a lanyard516 and a loop 518. Within an opening 520 of annular body 512, a seriesof projections 522 are provided for aesthetic purposes and/or forimproving grip and function. A two-piece zipper puller 610 includes atriangular body portion 612 and a tether portion 614 including a lanyard616 and first and second loops 618, 620. Projections 622 are providedfor aesthetic purposes and/or for improving grip and function. In atwo-piece zipper puller, different colors and/or materials can be usedwithout requiring a two shot molding process as necessary for aone-piece puller. The two-piece design allows for increased tensilestrength by the doubling effect of a folded loop. For example, a singlestrand with a 40 pound tensile strength can be doubled to 80 poundtensile strength by simply folding the loop and attaching both ends ontothe same attachment device. Alternatively or additionally, tensilestrength can be improved by increasing the diameter of the material inthe loops and/or by changing materials and/or by changing the orientingprocess to achieve the desired performance characteristics.

Grove arrangements in the bodies of zipper pullers of other embodimentsalso can be used. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a zipperpuller 710 similar to zipper puller 310. Zipper puller 710 includes amain body portion 712 and a separate tether portion 714. Tether portion714 includes a lanyard 716 and first and second loops 718, 720 atopposite ends of lanyard 316. Main body portion 712 is configured with agroove 726 about the periphery thereof to receive both first and secondloops 718, 720. While previously described zipper puller 310 includesgroove 326 of sufficient width for holding loops 318, 320 side-by-sidetherein, groove 726 of zipper puller 710 is of width for only a singleloop, but is of sufficient depth so that one loop 718 is positionedwithin the other loop 720. It should be understood that loop 720 can bemade of large diameter than loop 718 to accommodate the surroundingrelationship with loop 718.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate another zipper puller 810 also similar tozipper puller 310. Zipper puller 810 includes a main body portion 812and a separate tether portion 814. Tether portion 814 includes a lanyard816 and first and second loops 818, 820 at opposite ends of lanyard 316.Main body portion 812 is configured with a first groove 826 and a secondgroove 828 about the periphery thereof to receive first and second loops818, 820, each loop in a separate groove 826 or 828.

Zipper pullers disclosed herein are made of injection molded plastic.The entire puller can be molded in one-piece in an injection moldingtool, with or without overmolding in a two-shot process; or the pullercan be molded in multiple pieces, as explained for various effects bothfunctional and aesthetic. The zipper puller, or a portion thereof, isthen subjected to orienting to create a very strong, robust andfunctional loop equivalent to that of a cord. In some situations, thetether portion or only a segment of the tether portion will be orientedand the main body portion not oriented. During the orienting process,the crystalline structure of the material is adjusted to a greaterdegree of alignment. The orienting process allows the material to betuned or programmed to meet or exceed design requirements for cordflexibility, strength and length.

Using large rings or other easily graspable configurations for the mainbody portions provides for easy operation of the zipper on which thezipper puller is installed. With the loop or loops engaged about theperiphery of the body, an enclosed structure is formed by which thezipper puller is captured by and suspended from the zipper on which itis used.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope ofthe present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed anddefined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more ofthe individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/ordrawings. All of these different combinations constitute variousalternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments describedherein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention andwill enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. Theclaims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to theextent permitted by the prior art.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-nesting zipper puller, comprising: a bodydefining a periphery; a lanyard by which to suspend the zipper pullerfrom a zipper during use; and a loop connected to the lanyard andengaged about the periphery of said body during use of the zipper pullerto secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure captured by thezipper.
 2. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said lanyardconnected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to said loop.3. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said body, said lanyardand said loop being a one-piece structure.
 4. The self-nesting zipperpuller of claim 1, said periphery of said body defining a groovetherein, and said loop being retained in said groove during use of saidzipper puller.
 5. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, said loopconnected to said lanyard at a first end of said lanyard, a second loopconnected to said lanyard at a second end of said lanyard, and saidsecond loop also being engaged about the periphery of said body duringuse of the zipper puller.
 6. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 5,said periphery of said body defining a groove therein, and said loop andsaid second loop being retained in said groove during use of said zipperpuller.
 7. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 1, at least one ofsaid lanyard and said loop having physical properties altered from theas molded condition thereof due to an orienting process includingpermanent deformation from the as molded condition.
 8. The self-nestingzipper puller of claim 7, said lanyard connected at one end to said bodyand at an opposite end to said loop.
 9. The self-nesting zipper pullerof claim 7, said body, said lanyard and said loop being a one-piecestructure.
 10. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 7, said peripheryof said body defining a groove therein, and said loop being retained insaid groove during use of said zipper puller.
 11. The self-nestingzipper puller of claim 7, said loop connected to said lanyard at a firstend of said lanyard, a second loop connected to said lanyard at a secondend of said lanyard, and said second loop also being engaged about theperiphery of said body during use of the zipper puller.
 12. Theself-nesting zipper puller of claim 11, said periphery of said bodydefining a groove therein, and said loop and said second loop beingretained in said groove during use of said zipper puller.
 13. Aself-nesting zipper puller, comprising: a body defining a periphery; atether portion by which to suspend the zipper puller from a zipperduring use; said tether portion including a loop and a lanyard, saidloop being secured to the lanyard and engaged about the periphery ofsaid body during use of the zipper puller to secure the lanyard and bodyas an enclosed structure captured by the zipper; and said tether portionhaving physical properties altered from the as molded conditions thereofdue to an orienting process including permanent deformation from the asmolded condition.
 14. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, saidlanyard connected at one end to said body and at an opposite end to saidloop.
 15. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said body and saidtether portion being a one-piece structure.
 16. The self-nesting zipperpuller of claim 13, said periphery of said body defining a groove, andsaid loop being retained in said groove during use of said zipperpuller.
 17. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said tetherportion including a second loop, a first end of said lanyard beingconnected to said loop and a second end of said lanyard being connectedto said second loop, said second loop also being engaged about theperiphery of said body during use of the zipper puller.
 18. Theself-nesting zipper puller of claim 13, said periphery of said bodydefining a groove therein, and said loop and said second loop beingretained in said groove during use of said zipper puller.
 19. Aself-nesting zipper puller, comprising: a body having a peripherydefining a groove; a tether portion engaging a zipper during use; saidtether portion including a loop and a lanyard, said loop being securedto the lanyard and held in said groove during use of the zipper pullerto secure the lanyard and body as an enclosed structure captured by thezipper; and said tether portion having physical properties altered fromthe as molded conditions thereof due to an orienting process includingpermanent deformation from the as molded structure of said tetherportion.
 20. The self-nesting zipper puller of claim 19, said tetherportion including a second loop, a first end of said lanyard beingconnected to said loop and a second end of said lanyard being connectedto said second loop, and said second loop also being secured in saidgroove during use of the zipper puller.
 21. The self-nesting zipperpuller of claim 20, one of said loops being disposed within the other ofsaid loops when secured in said groove.
 22. The self-nesting zipperpuller of claim 19, said body periphery defining a second groove andsaid tether portion including a second loop, a first end of said lanyardbeing connected to said loop and a second end of said lanyard beingconnected to said second loop, and said second loop being secured insaid second groove during use of the zipper puller.